Squires to hold leadership election as European managing partner Crossley prepares to step down

A leadership battle at Squire Patton Boggs will take place as long-standing leader Peter Crossley has confirmed he will step down as Europe and Middle East managing partner at the end of this year.

Crossley (pictured) will retire from his leadership role when his term ends but remain at the firm, with an election for the managing partner role to take place in the coming weeks.

First elected as Hammonds managing partner in 2004, Crossley is noted for having guided the legacy firm through its merger with US practice Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in 2011 and helped steer the firm through its merger with Washington DC lobbying shop Patton Boggs in 2014 creating a 1,500 lawyer firm.

A Squires spokesperson said: ‘Earlier this year, Peter Crossley informed the firm’s partnership that he has decided to step down at the end of the year as the firm’s managing partner for EMEA after 12 years in the role. His replacement will be chosen over the course of the next couple of months.’

Under Crossley’s watch, Squires has moved into the top 40 of the Global 100 with a turnover of $929.1m and a presence across the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

One Squires partner told Legal Business: ‘Peter is very highly appreciated here. He has always been seen as a warm and friendly leader.’

It is understood two senior partners have been touted as potential favourites for the top job: London managing partner Robert Weekes and EMEA global corporate chair Jane Haxby. Hustings have not yet taken place and the firm would not comment on the election process.

Manchester-based Haxby has spent 23 years at the firm and chairs the global corporate group and was previously the Manchester managing partner between 2010 and 2013.

London managing partner Weekes is a fraud lawyer specialising in banks and financial institutions. He has led the London office since 2008 and joined legacy Hammonds in 2001.

Crossley’s role includes the firm’s UK offices, its presence in ten European markets and four offices in the Middle East.